Former President John Agyekum Kufuor was installed today as the first Chancellor of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT)

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor was installed today as the first Chancellor of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) at a colourful ceremony in Tarkwa.

The ceremony, which was presided over by President Akufo-Addo, was attended by the Minister of Education, Hon. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, other ministers of state, vice chancellors from sister univerisities, religious leaders and traditional rulers, among others.

The Minister for Education, Hon. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, recounted the enduring legacies of the former President, particularly the National Health Insurance Scheme, and expressed his confidence that history will one day be kind to President Akufo-Addo’s for his vision for education in the country.

In an address, the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jerry Kuma, paid tribute to former President Kufuor, in whose tenure the then Tarkwa School of Mines was upgraded from a faculty of the KNUST to a full university in 2004. He also commended the then Minister of State for Tertiary Education, Ms. Elizabeth Ohene, for her leadership during the transition.

President Akufo-Addo congratulated the University for its academic excellence and urged it to do more to cement it’s role as a centre of excellence. The President further announced the change of the university’s name to George Grant University of Mines at Tarkwa, in honour of the distinguished nationalist patriot, popularly known as Paa Grant.

He further swore the new Chancellor into office and commended him for his contributions towards the growth of democracy in Ghana.

President Kufuor expressed his appreciation for the gesture and as Chancellor pledged his support to the University in its endeavours.